August 06, 2014

Ebola in Liberia: President Sirleaf declares state of emergency

Our nation is currently affected by the deadly Ebola virus, and the disease has now spread to eight (8) counties. Liberia is among three (3) countries experiencing an unprecedented outbreak of the virus -- the largest ever since this virus was first discovered. It now poses serious risks to the health, safety, security and welfare of our nation. And beyond the public health risk, the disease is now undermining the economic stability of our country to the tune of millions of dollars in lost revenue, productivity and economic activity.

The healthcare system in the country is now under immense strain, and the Ebola epidemic is having a chilling effect on overall healthcare delivery. Out of fear of being infected with the disease, healthcare practitioners are afraid to accept new patients, especially in community clinics all across the country. Consequently, many common diseases, which are especially prevalent during the rainy season, such as malaria, typhoid and common colds, are going untreated and may lead to unnecessary and preventable deaths.

The virus currently has no cure and has a fatality rate of up to 90 percent. The aggregate number of cases -- confirmed, probable and suspected -- in our country has now exceeded five hundred (500), with about 271 cumulative deaths. With 32 deaths among healthcare workers, the death rate among citizens -- especially among healthcare workers -- is alarming.

Two weeks ago, I established a National Task Force, which I chair myself, to respond to this crisis. I instructed all non-essential government staff to stay home for thirty (30) days, ordered the closure of schools and authorized the fumigation of all public buildings. We have shut down markets in affected areas and have restricted movement in others. We have improved our response time and contact tracking, and have begun coordinating with regional and international partners.

Despite this and other continuing efforts, the threat continues to grow. Ignorance, poverty, as well as entrenched religious and cultural practices continue to exacerbate the spread of the disease, especially in the counties. The actions allowed by statute under the Public Health Law are no longer adequate to deal with the Ebola epidemic as comprehensive[ly] and holistic[ally] as the outbreak requires.

The scope and scale of the epidemic, the virulence and deadliness of the virus now exceed the capacity and statutory responsibility of any one government agency or ministry. The Ebola virus disease, the ramifications and consequences thereof, now constitute an unrest affecting the existent security and well-being of the Republic, amounting to a clear and present danger.

The government and people of Liberia require extraordinary measures for the very survival of our State and for the protection of the lives of our people.

Now therefore, and by virtue of the powers vested in me as President of the Republic of Liberia, I, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, in keeping with Article 86(a) and (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, hereby declare a State of Emergency throughout the Republic of Liberia, effective as of August 6, 2014, for a period of ninety (90) days.

Under this State of emergency, the government will institute extraordinary measures, including, if need be, the suspension of certain rights and privileges. As mandated by the Constitution, I will immediately forward the declaration of the State of Emergency to the National Legislature accompanied by an explanation of the facts and circumstances leading to the declaration.

Comments

Our nation is currently affected by the deadly Ebola virus, and the disease has now spread to eight (8) counties. Liberia is among three (3) countries experiencing an unprecedented outbreak of the virus -- the largest ever since this virus was first discovered. It now poses serious risks to the health, safety, security and welfare of our nation. And beyond the public health risk, the disease is now undermining the economic stability of our country to the tune of millions of dollars in lost revenue, productivity and economic activity.

The healthcare system in the country is now under immense strain, and the Ebola epidemic is having a chilling effect on overall healthcare delivery. Out of fear of being infected with the disease, healthcare practitioners are afraid to accept new patients, especially in community clinics all across the country. Consequently, many common diseases, which are especially prevalent during the rainy season, such as malaria, typhoid and common colds, are going untreated and may lead to unnecessary and preventable deaths.

The virus currently has no cure and has a fatality rate of up to 90 percent. The aggregate number of cases -- confirmed, probable and suspected -- in our country has now exceeded five hundred (500), with about 271 cumulative deaths. With 32 deaths among healthcare workers, the death rate among citizens -- especially among healthcare workers -- is alarming.

Two weeks ago, I established a National Task Force, which I chair myself, to respond to this crisis. I instructed all non-essential government staff to stay home for thirty (30) days, ordered the closure of schools and authorized the fumigation of all public buildings. We have shut down markets in affected areas and have restricted movement in others. We have improved our response time and contact tracking, and have begun coordinating with regional and international partners.

Despite this and other continuing efforts, the threat continues to grow. Ignorance, poverty, as well as entrenched religious and cultural practices continue to exacerbate the spread of the disease, especially in the counties. The actions allowed by statute under the Public Health Law are no longer adequate to deal with the Ebola epidemic as comprehensive[ly] and holistic[ally] as the outbreak requires.

The scope and scale of the epidemic, the virulence and deadliness of the virus now exceed the capacity and statutory responsibility of any one government agency or ministry. The Ebola virus disease, the ramifications and consequences thereof, now constitute an unrest affecting the existent security and well-being of the Republic, amounting to a clear and present danger.

The government and people of Liberia require extraordinary measures for the very survival of our State and for the protection of the lives of our people.

Now therefore, and by virtue of the powers vested in me as President of the Republic of Liberia, I, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, in keeping with Article 86(a) and (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, hereby declare a State of Emergency throughout the Republic of Liberia, effective as of August 6, 2014, for a period of ninety (90) days.

Under this State of emergency, the government will institute extraordinary measures, including, if need be, the suspension of certain rights and privileges. As mandated by the Constitution, I will immediately forward the declaration of the State of Emergency to the National Legislature accompanied by an explanation of the facts and circumstances leading to the declaration.